It seems that 2018 will be the worst year for Lyme disease in recent history. There are various theories as to why this is happening, but the most common is climate change. As the weather is warming, the tick population which is normally reduced or regulated due to severe weather conditions- which includes normal winter conditions- are no longer the case. This past winter was a particularly mild one, and it gave the tick population ample time to replicate.

As a physician, one of the greatest senses of accomplishments comes from our patient’s success. It is a collaboration that takes hard work on both the part of the physician and of the patient. Judy was one such patient.

Longevity is defined by the obstacles we must face as our bodies age. For men, one such obstacle is prostate cancer. It is estimated that one in five men will develop a tumor in their prostate. Second to skin cancer, it is the most common form of cancer in men. In cases with an early diagnosis, it may be a source of morbidity leading to impotence and other urologic complications.

The Diet of the Future Will Be Designed Just For You

What you eat will be tailored to your particular allergies and sensitivities, and for a lucky few (which might include you), it could mean less kale and more bacon.

JAMES WOJCIK, STYLED BY WILL KAHN

by ALEX KUCZYNSKI

APR 28, 2016

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On Sundays I often do a long run. My typical breakfast on such a day used to start with a whole egg omelette made with a dash of milk, green peppers, garlic, scallions, and Swiss cheese, accompanied by a toasted slice of German “fitness bread.” (What can I say? It was a romantic relic of my childhood.) Coffee with a splash of almond milk completed the meal, which would power me through nine or 10 miles on a winter day.

It was deeply satisfying. I remember in a longing way the acrid bite of the garlic, the tang of the green pepper, and the blush of the silky almond milk on my tongue as if I were Proust recalling his madeleine dipped in tea or Brillat-Savarin savoring his postprandial cheese.

It was Brillat-Savarin who said, “Tell me what you eat, and I shall tell you who you are,” and right now he would probably tell me I was quite confused. Because I am no longer allowed to eat any of the above foods. My diet for the last three months has been tailored specifically to me by Dr. Richard N. Firshein, one of New York City’s gurulike food allergy diet doctors.

The list of verboten foods is curious. Yes, I am allowed to eat bacon and drink gluten-free vodka, but, no, I am not allowed to eat eggs, even if they come from my own chickens and, not to sound too Hollywood starlet about it, travel only 50 yards from farm to my table. Nor am I allowed to drink almond milk, a suggestion I glumly vowed to follow despite my recent investment in a Vitamix and a dozen nut bags. Both eggs and almonds—and a flurry of other largely healthful (for most people) foods—it turns out, are allegedly not great for me; they can cause inflammation, were probably making me fat, and could have eventually led to my suffering from the graphically named leaky gut syndrome.

We start with a full physical. I am five-foot-11 and I weigh 153 pounds, which is perfectly healthy. But we’re in new york, and I adjust for geographic weight expectations.

Food allergy dieting sounds as faddish as nutrition can get. Besides, most people think of food allergies and their minds fly to an image of a child with a nut allergy who has accidentally been fed a peanut and must now lunge for his EpiPen. Certainly, serious food allergies are a frightening prospect, and there is no question that they are on the rise in children. In the world of ultra-custom diets and the doctors who design them, however, the more common case is that of an adult with sensitivities or intolerances to certain foods that instead of nourishing the body can cause inflammation and concomitant weight gain along with a host of other symptoms.

Celebrities and their svengalis have introduced the concept to the world at large, via tabloids and Instagram. Gwyneth Paltrow has sensitivities to gluten, dairy, and chicken eggs, but quail eggs are fine. Busy Philipps can’t tolerate gluten or soy. Zooey Deschanel has tweeted about her allergies and can’t eat eggs, dairy, or gluten. Miley Cyrus, when criticized for what people thought was an eating disorder, tweeted about her gluten and lactose allergies. Gluten, she wrote, is “crapppp anyway!”

On my first visit to Dr. Firshein, an osteopathic physician and the director of the Firshein Center for Integrative Medicine in New York City, he broke down for me the difference between food allergies and food sensitivities. Severe food allergies, such as ones to peanuts or shellfish, can be fatal; others can cause vomiting, skin rashes, or runny noses, among other symptoms. Food sensitivities—most often to dairy and gluten, but also to vegetables, fruits, and other seemingly innocuous items—are milder but still unpleasant in their effects. People with a sensitivity to these substances can experience bloating, abdominal discomfort, and a chronic inflammation of the gut, which leads to improper digestion and subsequent weight gain.

“We look at underlying complaints,” said Dr. Firshein, who is so thin and angular it doesn’t look as if he eats much more in a day than the tray of blueberries currently sitting on his desk. “Headaches, rash, intestinal discomfort, constipation, back pain, sinus pain.” He listed several more. “Could all these things be attributable to allergies or sensitivities? Yes. So that’s where we tailor our recommendations to the individual.” The result? Everyone feels better, looks better, and—most often—loses weight.

Take gluten. While only 1 percent of Americans have celiac disease, a potentially serious allergy to wheat that can interfere with nutrient absorption, some doctors estimate that as many as 30 percent of Americans have some sort of intolerance to gluten. The intolerance, according to their research, creates a state of inflammation in the body and the intestines, which leads to damage of the villi, the small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine and promote nutrient absorption. When the villi aren’t working properly, the body can’t absorb nutrition and the gut gets irritated. This is known as leaky gut syndrome, and it’s not pretty, according to Dr. Mark Hyman, who has been studying the effects of food intolerance for 25 years.

My husband is incredulous. He eats six to eight slices of buttered toast a day, hasn’t burped or passed gas (that I’ve heard) in 15 years, and has the body fat of a marathoner. “That’s so sad,” he tells me. “I remember when my mother used to take me to the bakery for gluten loaf.”

Gluten loaf is certainly not something I will be eating for the next few months, as I embark on a nutritional investigative journey with Dr. Firshein, whom fitness empress Tracy Anderson relies on for herself and her clients, and whom she describes as “brilliant.” We start with a full physical: blood pressure, bone density, body fat, resting metabolic rate. I am five-foot-11 and I weigh 153 pounds, which is perfectly healthy. But we’re in New York, and I adjust for geographic weight expectations. Dr. Firshein says I could certainly lose a few pounds if I wanted to. His nurse draws 12 vials of blood for tests, the results of which will be returned in a week. I spend 10 minutes spitting into another vial, so Dr. Firshein can run a genetic panel. (“Do you have the gene to process caffeine?” he asks. “We’ll find out.” Fingers crossed.) His nurse administers 83 pricks to my skin, and I wait in a darkened room to see if anything turns red.

You’re staring at me for not eating peaches and you want us to take peruvian hallucinogens and throw up into a bucket for our next girls trip?

Before I leave, Dr. Firshein and I sketch out a list of supplements I should be taking every day. This runs the gamut from probiotics (to promote gut health) to turmeric capsules (to combat inflammation) to L-tyrosine (for low thyroid levels, something my general practitioner and I have been monitoring for the last three years). He also hands me two tubs of “medical food,” detoxifying powders I will substitute for two meals a day for the next two weeks. I refuse a stool sample request, instead opting for a trendy microbiome analysis. It’s far less invasive, and I don’t have to walk down Park Avenue with the “collection device,” a curious oblong plastic hoop that looks like a time travel portal for a Barbie doll.

Food allergy diets have been popular among the glitterati for a few decades. Terri Lawton, an aesthetician in Los Angeles, has treated movie stars and other celebrities since the 1970s, and she encourages most of her clients to have their blood tested for food sensitivities.

“I had a pro basketball player in here for facials to treat his acne,” she told me. “We couldn’t figure out what it was that he was eating that caused the problem.” After learning that he was sensitive to chicken, one of his dietary staples, he eliminated all chicken and his skin cleared up. Ashley Lambert, a voiceover artist in Los Angeles and one of Lawton’s clients, had her bloodwork done after she grew tired of chronic skin problems, gastrointestinal issues, and hoarseness, a career-threatening situation in her profession. Her list of forbidden foods now includes gluten, soy beans, corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and some nuts. “My skin and voice are clear and I don’t have reflux,” she told me.

I received my complete results in 10 days. (Health insurance paid for it all.) According to Dr. Firshein’s lab work, I have some form of food sensitivity to wheat, lactose, egg whites, garlic, almonds, green peppers, and sesame seeds. My results from Lawton’s lab were encouragingly similar but included a few extra surprises, chicken and peaches, to which I might have a moderate reaction. My gut health is actually good, even if I have been eating foods to which I am supposedly intolerant.

The rigorous diet suggested by Dr. Firshein and Lawton at first seems impossible to enact, so I decide to meet a group of friends at the legendary California spa Golden Door for a week and have the staff eliminate all of my allergy foods for me. Suzie, the intake specialist, tells me that lots of Golden Door clients have had their allergen levels tested and show up with lists of forbidden foods. I tell her I don’t think these foods are really causing inflammation. She responds, “Well, maybe they’re why you’re holding on to the five extra pounds you want to lose.” Point taken. Maybe they’re secretly gumming up my gut and making it more difficult to properly digest my food. I have a sudden flashback to a colonic from last year. In a moment of gastrointestinal intimacy, the colonic hydrotherapist told me to chew some of my vegetables, particularly green peppers, more vigorously. Green peppers! They’ve been gumming me up and preventing me from losing weight. I shake my fist at green peppers.

A new area of research targets molecules which are more prone to cause cancer, and natural ways we can help to prevent this. Recent scientific evidence has shown that specific toxins found in cigarette smoke, plastics, diesel, and ultra-violet radiation create damaging lesions within our DNA. The findings published in Chemical Research in Toxicology, provides new insight and understanding as to how environmental agents affect our DNA repair mechanisms; and why certain toxins are so damaging.

The answer at least partly, is due to certain chemicals which contain large difficult to remove molecules, that stick to our DNA. Examples of these chemicals are those found in automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke ((also known as PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)) which possess the capability to attach to our DNA. Due to the size of their molecules, our bodies struggle to remove said compounds; unlike those of a smaller size which are easily removed.

Most individuals possess a specific repair mechanism-equivalent to a scissor- called NER (Nucleotide Excision Repair). NER is what allows our body to cut out/remove damaged DNA, and replace it with a new copied set of DNA fragments; without the damage or injuries caused by toxins. Conversely, there are some individual who lack the ability of creating such a repair.

One of the advantages of preventive DNA testing, is to understand which patients are at risk for certain cancers; along with which natural compounds are best suited to mitigate this problem. For example, in prostate related cancer it may be tomatoes; which contain both vitamin a and lycopene.

This is one of the various reasons why I incorporate DNA based testing and treatments for most of my patients. It is also the reason I recommend using specific antioxidants, which not only help with DNA repair; but can also halt the subsequent steps once cancer has been initiated.

The good news is, that with time, our bodies remove many of the compounds that damage our immune system at a genetic level. Understanding and determining which healthy compounds work best for individual patients, is where Precision Based Medicine distinguishes itself from traditional medicine; and allows us to provide tailored treatment to each individual patient

As an Integrative physician with over 25 years of experience, it’s hard to understand how the current opioid epidemic got started. Like other medically induced epidemics (Premarin which led to a serious uptick in great cancer) incentives got ahead of the science. The difficult truth is that there are situations when pain medicines are needed.

There are also many situations where these often casually prescribed narcotic medicines, could have been substituted with other more holistic approaches such as acupuncture or even meditation.

That’s why the FDA recently recommended doctors prescribe acupuncture -because it works. Not for everyone. But when it works it’s a life saver. And the science to back it up is getting better as well.

Here is the deal, the Opioid epidemic in our country has reached a critical level, and garnered the attention of the media, the government, and the American people. Research from The National Institute on Drug Abuse, has shown an alarming increase in drug overdoses, rising from 4,000 American Deaths in 1999 to over 52,000 American Deaths as recently as 2015.

Two-thirds of these overdoses stem from opioids, resulting in numerous states declaring a medical emergency to combat the epidemic. These overdoses are believed to be attributed to the rapid increase of prescription narcotics, which has quadrupled since the early 1990’s. The CDC has since announced that urgent and critical action needs to be taken.

Numerous studies have shown that Acupuncture works as a highly effective treatment method for chronic pain in a plethora of ways understood by those who use traditional medicine. In comparison to traditional pain management treatment; which work on a specific receptor in the brain, acupuncture has been shown to release endorphins, increases immune response, and increases blood flow.

Originating in China, acupuncture is one of the oldest continually practiced forms of medicine. In Chinese Medicine energy is also known as Qi (chee). It is believed that blockages in our energy pathways lead to an imbalance in the way that energy flows through our nerves, muscles, tendons and blood vessels. When Qi is blocked, it results in our bodies experiencing a sensation of pain.

To alleviate pain, Acupuncture needles are placed in strategic pressure points- known as meridians- on the body, acting as a bridge/detour around the areas of pain density/blocked energy. This is believed to result in a normal flow of “energy” being released throughout the body and a reduction of symptoms

With my 25 years of experience as an Integrative Physician, I have found that while Acupuncture is not designed to treat every painful medical condition; it does serves to mitigate numerous painful conditions, as well as a host of others. As a Certified Acupuncturist, I use Acupuncture as treatment for many ailments including Chronic Pain, Adrenal Fatigue, Chronic Sinus Pain, Asthma, Sciatica, Migraines, Headaches, Insomnia, PMS, Menopausal Symptoms and Pain due to Acute and Chronic Injuries. It has proven to be one of the most effective therapeutic options that I have in my medical arsenal.

There are very few adverse effects and patients can resume normal activities right after receiving treatment. Generally, I recommend that acupuncture is used as an initial or adjunctive form of treatment, for anyone that has been prescribed a mild pain medication. These results have a significant effect on the way my future treatments are administered for each patient.

In some cases, I’ve found that Acupuncture is not the only form of treatment that I use. When a patient needs additional treatment, I recommend other natural modalities such as cold laser, ultrasound, osteopathic manipulation treatments and physical therapy. Occasionally, certain analgesics are used before considering a narcotic medication.

There is something truly exciting on the horizon as well. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a ground-breaking new treatment for damaged joints and ligaments, that has also proven to be one of the most effective, and promising treatments methods for pain management. I will discuss PRP Therapy and its many advantages in greater detail in a future blog, where I will also explain how to Naturally Reduce Chronic Pain and Inflammation.

A critical area of concern in the field of Anti-Aging Medicine is the prevention of Dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease. I have seen this medical condition wreak havoc on individuals and families. There has been little hope for prevention until now.

A new study shows that the death rate from Alzheimer’s has risen 55% in the last 15 years. This dramatic change also appears to be a significant new risk for increasing mortality rates. Globally, there are more than 50 million people affected by Alzheimer’s, and that is estimated to increase to 125 million by 2050.

Alzheimer’s mainly affects people over the age of 65 (some research suggests symptoms can occur as early as the early 40’s) and the most common symptom and effect is chronic disabling memory loss. Other common symptoms/conditions associated with the disease are impaired language, difficulty in concentrating/ decision making, confusion and ultimately disorientation. It’s both emotionally and physically draining not only to the individuals, but their families as well. Read More

I often recommend exercise to my patients. Determining the type of exercise and duration depends on the individual. We all know that exercise has been linked to better outcomes in heart disease, certain types of cancer and diabetes.

What we haven’t known are the exact mechanisms as to why. New DNA tests help to quantify the benefits. A new study out of Brigham Young University revealed that if you work out extensively, and are willing to sweat, you may be able to reduce one type of aging that happens inside your cells. Read More

Probiotics-those good little bugs that live inside of your intestines- have recently gotten a lot of attention in the news and rightly so. It seems that gut flora may provides up to 25% of the neurotransmitters our body uses every day for typical day to day functions. These functions include normal mood and balancing out stress. It seems as if these bacteria play an important role in regulating those feelings. This lends credibility to the cliche-that someone has a gut feeling about something.

There is a great deal of controversy around eating times and weight loss. My general preference is to limit most calorie consumption to one meal a day and to fast or go on a calorie restricted meal plan for the rest of the day. This is in line with what current research suggests promotes longevity.

When choosing a diet I incorporate many factors including a patient’s metabolic profile, DNA and family history, cultural preferences and lifestyle. One factor that I consistently recommend against is eating late at night which forces the body to store calories while reducing metabolic function during the day. What I call the Sumo Wrestlers diet, a specific technique used by these portly athletes, which loads carbs late at night forcing their liver to store the meal as fat. Continue reading “Timing of Meals can Affect Weight Gain and Impair Metabolism- by Dr. Richard Firshein”→

Many of my patients wonder whether their daily coffee or tea breaks are actually good for them. New research lends support to the idea that coffee and tea, like many natural remedies and foods packed with antioxidants may actually be good for you.

Detoxing Done Right

A doctor weighs in

The buzz about detoxifying teas, cold-pressed juices and other trendy products that promise to flush out toxins can truly be deafening. In an attempt to find the perfect plan for a pre-summer detox, DuJour turned to Dr. Richard Firshein of the Firshein Center for Integrative Medicine in New York City. He often recommends detoxes to his patients because of the many benefits of fasting, and says, “When you have all of those allergens and sensitivities, and you have all of these toxins and you eliminate them, you give the liver a chance to recover, and that’s the basic foundational principle of a detox.”

Despite universal benefits, there’s actually no universal way to detox. Each of Dr. Firshein’s patients receives an individualized plan of action based on extensive evaluation. “We use a lot of sophisticated testing—DNA testing, we look at toxins, there are biomes which look at gut flora, allergies, vitamin levels, levels of free radical activity, and with that information we’re able to put together a plan,” he explained. While no two patients—and therefore no two detoxes—are exactly alike, Dr. Firshein outlined some important basic rules to know before embarking on a detox.

Calorie count

Patients typically will ingest one third of the calories they normally would, and Dr. Firshein cautions that patients taking in under 1200 calories per day be medically supervised.

Detox-approved foods

“I use a gluten free, rice-based protein drink that has a number of detoxifying nutrients in it,” says Dr. Firshein. Foods often added on top of this include vegetable or bone broth, a serving of mustard seeds, a yogurt, or even four ounces of steamed salmon with asparagus or broccoli in some cases.

Juicing

Juice may be seen as the quintessential component of cleansing, but it doesn’t always make an appearance in Dr. Firshein’s plan. Sometimes he will add a green juice to the mix if a patient is sick and needs more nutrition than the typical detox provides, but he always proceeds with caution. “You want to be careful because a lot of commercial juices contain a lot of sugar,” he says. “You want to check the labels, make sure that they’re not getting more than seven or eight grams of sugar per serving. That’s still on the high end—about a teaspoon of sugar—but to make it palatable some people really need a little bit.” To put things in perspective, the popular BluePrint cleanse contains juices with up to 51 grams of sugar in a serving.

Detoxing vs. cleansing

These words are not interchangeable to Dr. Firshein. A detox is the process described above, cutting calories and eating only certain foods for a number of days in order to eliminate toxins. “In the cleanse I add in some things that really clean out the gut to clean out the colon, and that’s why we have things like flax seed, magnesium preparations, or natural supplements like cascara and senna. That really just clears out the gut because for a lot of people they’re toxic not just because of the things they eat and consume, but also because of the gut bacteria,” says Dr. Firshein.

When to detox

“I think a reasonable approach would be every two months,” says Dr. Firshein. “I think that if someone wanted to do it quarterly or twice a year, they’re still going to get enormous benefits from it. It will help them reset the way that their body is functioning and give them the optional nutrition.” It sounds difficult to cut calories so often, but the benefits can make the sacrifice worth it. “People go through a detox and then they suddenly realize—you know that epiphany—that they’re feeling so much better, they have so much more energy, they feel more vital, they think more clearly,” says Dr. Firshein.